How do I fix iPad stuck on wrong time zone and location (showing Maryland, USA instead of Australia) after restart?

Question

Level 1

10 points

How do I fix iPad stuck on wrong time zone and location (showing Maryland, USA instead of Australia) after restart?

Hi everyone,

All the iPads in our house are stuck on the wrong time and location. We're located in Australia, but after restarting the iPads (following a trip to Singapore), they are now showing a random but very specific location of "3 J P Morgan Ct, Waldorf, Maryland" and the time is set to New York time.

Here's what I've noticed:

This issue started after we restarted the iPads to correct the Singapore time.

Even when connected to mobile data ( iPhone when on wifi and mobile data is showing correct Australian time and location), the iPads still think they are in Maryland.

Under Settings > Date & Time, a message appeared saying "updated time zone definitions available and will be installed after restart" — this showed up just before the issue started.

Manually setting the time works (location is still set at Maryland, USA), but when I try to switch back to "Set Automatically," it just spins and doesn’t update.

Location Services and "Set Time Zone" are enabled.

All devices are up to date with the latest iPadOS 18.4.1

Both Apple Maps and Google maps place us in the US, however Disney and Netflix still recognise we are in Australia as they are showing the Australian content.

Has anyone else experienced this?

Is there a way to force the iPad to refresh its time zone and location correctly?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you,

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iPad Pro, iPadOS 18

Posted on Apr 27, 2025 6:06 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Jeff Donald

Level 8

44,496 points

Apr 27, 2025 10:27 AM in response to LorelaiRose

What region is the device set for? Do you use a VPN? Have you done a forced restart?

Force restart iPhone - Apple Support

Which model iPads are they.

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Answer 2

K Shaffer

Level 8

35,956 points

Apr 27, 2025 5:12 PM in response to LorelaiRose

LorelaiRose (Author)

Maybe the ticket might be to toggle off many other items in settings

too, and risk messing up the iOS version. I wonder too if your devices

may be sharing their details; as such, could be sabotaging efforts?

The iCloud shares some settings, between iOS devices; also macOS.

https://www.techy.how/tutorials/iphone-location-gps-not-working-fix

Several of those appear in this article; many Off & On Settings too.

This is why I suggested asking an Authorized Apple service or official

Apple Store help, aka Genius staff for help. Usually by Appointment.

In a 15-20 minute time slot, where they might gather information.

• Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

//www.apple.com/retail/geniusbar/ (hardware & software appts)

Are there any automatic iOS updates pending? Sometimes those may

balk if something else is wrong within the iPadOS. If you've an Apple

iPhone or Mac, those could help resolve an issue; w/ other hardware.

(saw your mention VPN, that's unlikely if not initiated)

IF a hardware or software issue exists, that's also time enough to tell

which direction to focus further efforts on. ~ Most authorized Apple

service providers can be very helpful; the AASPs are Apple trained.

Anyway, I've read & see where these may take a determined traveler.

You may need to make an appointment to have an expert diagnostic

done on your iPadOS; & any data sharing devices, that travel, too.

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Answer 3

Jeff Donald

Level 8

44,496 points

Apr 27, 2025 4:54 PM in response to LorelaiRose

Have you ever used a VPN on your device? When you were traveling did you install any physical SIM cards or eSIMs?

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Answer 4

LorelaiRose Author

Level 1

10 points

Apr 27, 2025 2:20 PM in response to Jeff Donald

3 different models - so do not think that is the issue. My ipad is the newest iPad Pro 6th generation - only bought last year, there is an iPad 6th generation and the other one my son has and is even older.

All were bought in Australia, and under general - language and region - all are set to Australia. We do not have a VPN - and I have also hotspotted off my mobile data on my phone with no luck - all our phones are on the same wifi and have no issues currently. Yes all have completed a forced restart - none of the ipads switched from Singapore time to Australia time when they connected to wifi here. After the forced restart they went to US time - we did another forced restart to no effect.

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